Run-opener and pole-guide.



E. L. MERRILL.

RUN OPENER AND POLE GUIDE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1908.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

TON, n. c

EMILY L. MERRILL, 0F DORCHESTER, MAS$ACHUSETTS.

RUN-OPENER AN Specification of Letters Patent.

1) POLE-GUIDE.

Patented Dee. 3,1912.

Application filed June 17, 1908. Serial No. 439,016.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILY L. MERRILL, of Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Run Openers and Pole-Guides, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for opening the runs in fabrics, the term run as herein employed by me being intended to include all such doubled portions of fabrics as are provided for the reception of tapes in garments, or the poles for curtains, without regard to whether'such runs are formed by turning over the edge of the fabric, or securing a separate piece or strip to the body of the fabric, or otherwise formed. When fabrics having such runs are washed, the runs usually are closed and sealed or stuck, due to starch or the action of ironing implements, and then the insertion of a tape when the fabric is a garment, or of the pole when the fabric is a curtain, is accomplished with difliculty and frequently results in puncturing and tearing the fabric.

The ob ect of my invention is to produce a device which may be employed. to open the run and lead the way for the tape or pole, without risk of injuring the goods, the device being capable of being carried by the advancing end of the pole.

To these ends, the invention consists in the construction of the device, and the com bination of parts thereof, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Of the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention, omitting the clasp which encircles the frame at the throat. Fig. 2 is a similar View including the clasp. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing also a brace which may be employed and indicating in section, a shield which may be employed for protecting the tips of the pins. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but indieating in section, a tip for a pole. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but also indicating in section a portion of a metal pole or rod. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail perspective views of the brace, shield and pole tip referred to. Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively a side elevation and an edge view, and showing a tape.

Similar reference characters indicate the same or similar parts in all of the views.

A strip of metal, preferably wire, is bent to form a plurality of tongues at one end, and with substantially straight sides 0. The width of the device will depend upon the size desired. And the number of tongues will depend upon the width or size. As shown in the drawings there are three tongues of which the central one a is longer than the two side tongues b. This structure or formation lessens the effort required to open a run because the longer central tongue starts the opening while the side tongues complete the operation. It also results in less liability of tearing the fabric. At the rear end, the sides 0 are curved, as at (i, then brought together to a central throat point 6 so as to form a substantially straight transverse support for a fold of a tape or ribbon, then again spread and formed with rea-rwardly projecting pins To connect a tape or ribbon L to the opener preliminary to passing it through a run, the end of the tape or ribbon is passed between the sides 0 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and then carried baczk and impaled on the pins f, as indicated at c.

A. brace 9 may be employed to strengthen the device, said brace consisting of a flat strip of metal having a hole at each end, the two holes fitting the sides 0. To cover the points of the pins f either when the device is not in use, or when it is used as so far described, a suitably constructed shield 2' may be slipped on the tips of said pins.

To enable the device to be attached to the end of a curtain pole or rod, either of wood or hollow or solid metal, a pole tip is provided, such pole tip as shown comprising a cap 1' having two holes into which the pin points 7 may be projected, said cap being of a size to frictionally fit the particular rod or pole that is to be pushed through the run of a curtain. This is especially serviceable when the pole or rod is hollow and formed with a seam, the corners of which are particularly liable to catch upon and tear fabric. As the cap covers the end of such a pole, and as the cap in practice is made smooth like a thimble, its use not only serves as the means for supporting the opener at the end of the pole and in alinement therewith, but also covers up any roughness of the metal of the pole.

As will be readily understood, when it is desired to pass a tape or ribbon as well as a rod or pole through a run, the end of the tape or ribbon can be attached to the pin points f in the manner already described,

and then the said pins can be passed into the holes of a cap 7' on the end 'of a pole or rod, and the whole passed through a run. If then the pole or rod is not Want-ed in the run, it can be Withdrawn. Consequently if it is desired that a tape or ribbon be placed in a run of a piece of fabric that is too extensive to be gathered on the sides 0, a rod or pole may be temporarily employed in the manner just described, serving merely as a handle or extension for the opener.

The curved tip of the central tongue being in advance of the tips of the side tongues, opens up a relatively small width of the run, acting in the manner of an entering Wedge, and then the other curved tips follow, opening other small port-ions of the run, all merging into one the width of the tape or ribbon that is to be inserted.

It is to be understood, of course, that when no tape or ribbon is to be inserted in a run, but only a rod or pole, then the cap j is applied to the end of the pole or rod and the pins f of the opener simply pushed into the holes of the cap.

When a tape or ribbon is to be inserted in a run, it is held more securely than can be done With a bodkin or ordinary tape needle, because the tape is liable to slip through the eye of such needle or bodkin. WVith my device, the end of the tape or ribbon is positively held by being impaled on the pins f, while the fold over the substantially straight transverse portion adjacent the throat e keeps the tape or ribbon from twisting or folding over.

An especial advantage of my device is that it can be used to simultaneously open a run the full width desired, and take in the tape or ribbon in straight fiat condition to fit the opened run, and do this Without the slightest risk of injuring the fabric.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is 1. A flat run opener and pole guide having substantially parallel side edges and having means at one end for attaching a tape or ribbon to it, the other end having a plurality of tongues, the central tongue being the longest.

' 2. A run opener and pole guide comprising a strip of wire having substantially straight sides, and a plurality of tongues of different lengths at one end for opening a run to adefinite width, and means at the other end for carrying a tape or ribbon in perfectly flat condition through said opened run.

3. A run opener and pole guide comprising a strip of wire having substantially straight sides, and a plurality of tongues of different lengths at one end for opening a run to a definite Width, and having integral pins at the other end whereby said device may be removably attached to a pole in alinement therewith.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EMILY L. MERRILL.

lVitnesses ESTHER MANN, E. P. UPHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

